Citizens Asked To Weigh-In On Proposed Tax Increase

If you haven't gotten one of these postcards from the Sioux Falls School District, listen up! The district wants to know what you think of the proposal to build three new schools in the city.

It's a simple card, but it could have a big impact on your life. These surveys were mailed out last week to everyone in the Sioux Falls School District. The goal is to find out what you think about the latest proposal to improve education in the city.

"It's a series of questions that really talk about are you pleased with the process? Do you agree with the solution? It gets even into the specifics on potential for a high school site," Superintendent Brian Maher said.

New elementary, middle and high school buildings are part of that solution a task force recently came up with. Those new sites, plus $40 million in equity projects bring the grand total to $190 million.

This has to be approved by the Board of Education before it goes to a public vote.

For example, for a home costing $185,000, the owners would pay 2 dollars more a month for the next 25 years.

"It's still a little fluid. So information still matters to the Board of Education. The second reason it's really important is, it's your school, my school and all of our neighbors. It's their school as well," Maher said.

Maher wants everyone to know whether you have kids in school or not, your voice matters now and on Election Day September 18.

"Whether or not you have kids in school, you pay taxes. So the solution is really important for you personally because you pay taxes. It's also important for you because what we do in education in this community is important to the future of our community," Maher said.